Comments on March 2019To large extent, March showed its usual “lion” and “lamb” colours. There were chilly, wet and very windy days in the first half of the month, with warm, dry, sunny days later on. Daily maximum temperature was above 10°C from 19th onwards with both 28th and 29th receiving more than 10 hours sunshine.

Unlike the rather cool March in 2018, this was the equal 10th warmest March since 1850, although only the warmest since 2017 (which ranks equal 7th warmest). Night-time temperatures were especially high, ranking equal 7th warmest, but again beaten by 2017 which ranks 3rd. Day-time temperatures were well above average too, ranking equal 23rd. The 12-month running mean is back above 10°C for the first time since June 2017.

The rainfall total was just above average. Other than 1st March, there was rainfall every day from 2nd to 18th, followed by 11 days with no rain at all!

Sunshine hours just managed to exceed the exceptional February total, notwithstanding three extra days in March!

This has been the 6th equal warmest start to a year (with 2000 and 2012). Of the top five, only 1938 comes before 1989.